Senior Research Engineer – Composites Tooling Design
GKN Aerospace
full-time
Posted on:
Location Type: Hybrid
Location: Bristol • United Kingdom
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Job Level
Tech Stack
About the role
- Lead the design and engineering of composite tooling solutions, including concept generation, CAD definition, specification, and validation of prototype and production tooling
- Manage tooling activities within Technology projects, owning the tooling input into GKN’s Technology Readiness Assessment process, providing support to technical leads across projects and technologies
- Take ownership of tooling documentation, ensuring compliance with company standards and customer requirements and develop best practices and standard operating procedures for composite tooling design and maintenance
- Work closely with design engineers, materials specialists, and manufacturing teams to ensure tooling solutions meet both research and industrial requirements
- Lead technical engagement with tooling suppliers, research partners, and universities, ensuring technical quality and compliance with GKN Aerospace standards and advising on tooling materials, design and manufacturing methods
- Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and knowledge sharing across the Technology function to strengthen GKN’s composite tooling capability
- Identify and implement improvements in tooling design, materials, and processes to enhance performance, cost, and sustainability
- Support or lead any necessary 'hands on' development test work and development trials that are required to meet your Work Package/Work Stream delivery objectives and support root-cause investigations for tooling-related non-conformances
- Contribute to the development of GKN as a 'Great Place to Work', aligned with the core principles - safe, innovative, open & honest, care & respect, and ownership
Requirements
- A high level of experience in tooling design (CATIA V5), including knowledge of surfacing and biasing of mould tool
- Experience of leading the definition and development of complex, high-tolerance and rate-capable composite tooling solutions and/or integrated manufacturing systems, with a sound knowledge of composite tooling approaches, manufacturing methods & processes for OEM or Tier 1 aerospace companies
- Experience of development tooling for new materials and processes with a proactive and hands on approach for tooling and assembly operations for prototype parts
- A logical and methodical approach to work package planning and costing with experience managing budgets on a work package level or in smaller Work Streams
- You will have a growing network in Aerospace or Technology areas relevant to the role
- Awareness of current and future tooling trends and development, to ensure continuous improvement and innovation for the tooling systems of tomorrow.
Benefits
- Competitive salary dependent on experience
- Up to 15% Bonus
- Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1: 1.5 basis (Employer max contribution 12%)
- Life Assurance 8 x salary
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays
- Flexible working hours including the ability to finish at 12noon on a Friday
- Income protection
- Shopping discounts
- Cycle To Work Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
- A collaborative, dynamic working environment
Applicant Tracking System Keywords
Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.
Hard Skills & Tools
tooling designCATIA V5composite tooling solutionsmanufacturing methodshigh-tolerance toolingwork package planningbudget managementprototype developmentmaterials knowledgeprocess improvement
Soft Skills
leadershipmentoringcommunicationproblem-solvingcollaborationinnovationmethodical approachownershiptechnical guidancenetworking